The next film in the G.I. Joe franchise, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, comes out March 28th and the studios behind it are spending every dime to promote their newest project. After so many setbacks and post-production work, the film will finally show audiences what changes have been made since the first film letting them decide if it’s a better improvement. Here are some facts you need to know about one of the most anticipated movies of the year.
1. It Was Originally Set to Release in Summer 2012
G.I. Joe Retaliation was originally set to release in August 2012, but was pushed forward for a March 2013 release. The reason for the delay was for Paramount Studios to convert the film to 3D for its release. According to Deadline, this would allow the film to be distributed internationally in 3D since the technology has made films a success in countries like Russia and China. The studio also thought it was best to release the film in March, where films like last year’s The Hunger Games have done extremely well during that month. The delay caused criticism on Paramount’s part because of the heavy campaigning of the film during last year’s Super Bowl. Another reason also suggested that actor Channing Tatum, who was only given a small part of the film, was given an extended role due to his recent success rate.
2. It is Directed by Jon M. Chu
The sequel to G.I. Joe will be directed by Jon M. Chu, known for his directing work in films like Step Up 2, Step Up 3D, and Justin Beiber: Never Say Never. He is also well known for his groundbreaking web series Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. His dance group ACDC has performed in most of Jon’s dance films as well as in award shows and programs like the Oscars and So You Think You Can Dance. The director has been getting a great reputation for defining the dance genre of films. With the shock of hiring a man whose known for his dance films, Jon Chu told The Deadbolt that he is confident about taking a crack at rebooting the franchise. He said that this film will let audiences be “reintroduced to the Joes and experience it in a different way. This is like down and dirty Joe for me.”
3. The Film Will Be Much Different Than the Original
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Jon Chu stated that the film will be much different than the first with some of the characters from the original being killed off while introducing the audience to the new ones. The director also admits that it was partially his idea to reboot the franchise and put it in another direction. “It’s the same world, but at a different point, so let’s pay homage to the old stuff, but also do new stuff.”
4. Some of the Original Cast Are Expected to Return
With the announcement of a sequel, some of the original cast were expected to return as well. This included Channing Tatum as Duke, Ray Park as Snake Eyes, and Lee Byung-hun as Storm Shadow. Other actors like Rachel Nichols and Sienna Miller won’t be a part of the film.
5. The Rock Makes His Appearance As the Lead
The Rock was cast as the lead for G.I. Joe: Retaliation, playing the role of Roadblock, a heavy machine gunner and one of the most prominent members of the G.I. Joe franchise. The role was originally given to rapper Common, who passed on the role in favor of playing Heavy Duty, a character originally played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje in the first film.
6. Bruce Willis Plays Second Lead
Action star Bruce Willis will be playing the role of original G.I. Joe member General Joseph Colton. His character will lead the Joes in their fight against the Cobra. The Rock first confirmed the news on his Twitter page saying, “Welcome brother Bruce Willis to the cast of G.I. Joe! What an honor.”
7. Some New Characters Make Their Debut
Besides The Rock and Bruce Willis joining the franchise, other actors will be making their debut playing new characters from the G.I. Joe line. The new cast includes Adrianne Palicki as Lady Jaye, Ray Stevenson as Cobra mercenary Firefly, Elodie Yung as Jinx, Joseph Mazzello as Mouse, and RZA as Blind Master.
8. Cobra Commander Was Recast
After G.I. Joe was confirmed for the sequel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who played the original Cobra Commander, announced to Collider that he would not be coming back for Retaliation. Director Jon Chu told Aint It Cool News that the Joes number one enemy will be the main antagonist of the sequel, but will not be portrayed as the same one Joseph played and will be much more close to how fans remember him. Cobra Commander is portrayed by Luke Bracey while Robert Baker will provide his voice.
9. Rapper RZA Will Appear in the Film
Fans of G.I. Joe will see more of the back story of Snake Eyes. We will see more members of the Arashikage Clan, which includes Jinx and Blind Master, who will be played by rapper RZA. Blind Master trains Jinx to fight in hand-to-hand combat with a blindfold, which audiences will see when she fights off against Snake Eyes.
10. The Toy Line of the Film Was Pulled From Shelves
When the new trailer of G.I. Joe Retaliation was released last year, Hasbro announced they would release a new line of G.I. Joe toys to coincide with the release of the film. The line of new action toys had already hit shelves in retailers everywhere before news that the film was being delayed. With the delay of the film, the toy company gave a press release announcing that they had to pull the already-made toys off the shelves until March 2013. Hasbro said in the statement:
G.I. Joe is an ongoing consumer franchise and therefore there is merchandise available to consumers. There is a limited amount of G.I. Joe Retaliation product at retail now, but in light of the movie moving out to March 29, 2013, the majority of the movie line will be made available early next year in time for the film’s release.
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‘G.I. Joe Retaliation’: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know